3/2/2008: Spent the last two days in the fast-growing city of Siem Reap, a favorite hangout of Angelina Jolie. In an effort to honor this tomb-raiding, third-world-child-adopter, we found activities that truly embody all that is Angelina...namely, visiting the Children's Hospital and checking out the lost cities and temples of Angkor. The afternoon we arrived in town, several of us from the tour group headed over to Kantha Bopha - the new, modern childrens hospital (started by Dr Beat Richner) which provides free medical care to any Cambodian child. It's estimated that 1 out of 3 children in Cambodia have been to this hospital since it opened in 1999. BDM dropped off a fresh armful of Irish O-positive, then headed out to the bar for a celebratory drink (which always feels stronger than it actually is)! The next day we toured the grand-daddy of the temple complexes, Angkor Wat, and the largest complex - Angkor Thom. Got up early the following morning to catch sunrise [link] over Angkor Wat, then explored Ta Prohm (where portions of the movie Tomb Raider were said to be shot) and several other jungle temples. I don't know how Dr Jones managed, but exploring ancient civilizations in the hot SE Asian sun really works up an appetite!
Dinner (Day 1): Khmer Kitchen, Khmer dumplings, chicken curry
BDM - These were gross
JM - I agree. The Khmer dumplings tasted like gelatinous, gluey globs of bland nothingness. Even the tasty sweet chili dipping sauce couldn't save these suckers. The curry was okay, but not worth posting a photo.
Dinner (Day 2): Kama Sutra, Chicken Tikka Masala, butter naan
BDM - Alright! There is good indian food to be found in indochina. Much better than our experience in Hanoi.
JM - An afternoon at the temples in the hot sun left me with a mild case of heat/sun stroke and so my tummy wasn't feeling up for dinner. A shame, since this was a really tasty restaurant. I had a few bites of the tikka masala sauce and then just stuck to rice and naan. But the naan was really good, definitely rivaled naan n curry in SF.
Lunch (Day 3): Abacus, Yellow Curry with Chicken
BDM - The curry seems to be steadily getting better and better the closer we get to thailand, and this one had me smiling! Not very spicy, but the coconut cream was delicious!
JM - Still not feeling great, so I had ginger ale and steamed rice for lunch. I'm sure you all know what those taste like.
Dinner (Day 3): Cambodian BBQ, Squids
BDM - Very tasty - esp with the fresh lemon pepper sauce. Also tried the crocodile (not shown) and it tasted like chicken, a game-y chicken.
JM - Still not feeling up for eating. So dinner was a bottle of water. deelish.
2 comments:
Great pics of the ruins...Hope you are feeling better Jessica and that a few days at the beach bring relaxation and good health to you both.
awesome! you gave blood!!! i wonder what type of health history questions they have there??? now make sure you donate at ARC when you're home too!!!
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